Union Pacific / SSW Dash 8 re-numbering

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Hi all. Looking for some help from UP experts please.

I have an Atlas SSW GE Dash 8 - 40B with the unit number 8087. The prototype was delivered in May 1989 in standard grey.

I want to move my modelling era forward but to do so as cheaply as possible and re-use the engines I have. I know that on August 30 1999, SSW 8087 was re-numbered UP 5693 and then on December 31 2003, re-numbered again UP 1884.

The question I have (and can’t find an answer on the internet to), is when 8087 was first re-numbered did it (and other Dash 8’s being re-numbered) wear a UP patch or was it fully repainted? If it wore a patch, does anyone know when it was painted in full UP scheme? I have seen a photo dated February 2006 showing it (as UP 1884) in Armour Yellow so clearly it was fully painted sometime between 08/1999 and 02/2006. I can’t find any photo of it between those dates.

I can manage a patch update using Microscale decals, but a full repaint is beyond my skills at the moment so knowing if or when it was patched will help determine the layout date.

Thanks. Ian.

2

I just looked through rr picture archive and by Sept 2000, they have a picture of UP 5693 in full UP paint. Here is the link:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/LocoPicture.aspx?id=21106

Jim

3

Good luck with that. If the unit was repainted in the West Oakland shop you will probably never find out that information as the shop was demolished September this year. I have no idea where the paint records ended up (possibly in a soggy carboard box in an unused box car) or if they were destroyed. Either way, Indiana Jones may be needed to find them.

You can either not worry about it for your model, or paint in a temporary number patch. Chances are you will be 85% correct with a patch number on an old paint scheme. Perhaps posting this on the Trains magazine forum will yield answers from some of the crew or mechanics of that loco- it’s a long shot but it just might work.

4

Many thanks for the information. I’m of the “close enough will do school” so those details are really helpful.

Best, Ian

5

Ian, I have taken considerable “modeler’s license” with regard to my former Southern Pacific/SSW locomotives. The Union Pacific operates with trackage rights over my PCS&S Railway. Quite a few patched, and as yet unpainted former SP/SSW operate in a “today” railroad. Needless to say, that works for me, but your railroad is yours.

6

Philcal, I agree there’s bound to be some modeler’s license on the layout somewhere.

As suggested above I’ve asked on the Trains forum - see if that throws anything out.

I guess I could always patch as a different unit that I know for sure was patched.

Thanks for your help. Regards, Ian